Change HR10-250 to 'Series 3' OTA standalone?

[GargleBlast]

Okay so here's the thing, if TiVo hadn't resigned with Murdoch Global Inc. then could they have released a new software for the HR10-250 that would allow it to behave like a standalone OTA HD / DTV TiVo? No additional hardware, heck, maybe even the Series 3 software would work!!

[litzdog911]

No. DirecTV/Tivo's only have satellite tuner hardware. No software update could turn them into cable TV or digital cable (CableCard) tuners.

[rminsk]

if TiVo hadn't resigned with Murdoch Global Inc. then could they have released a new softwareIf TiVo had not resigned with Murdoch then they could NEVER release any new software for the HR10-250.

[mulscully]

well not the 10-250's they have an OTA antenna in them....

[wmcbrine]

Perhaps a hacked version of the Series 3 software will work, when it's available. People were able to take the version 4 software from a standalone and run it on a DirecTivo.

I wouldn't bet on it, though.

[ebonovic]

Perhaps a hacked version of the Series 3 software will work, when it's available. People were able to take the version 4 software from a standalone and run it on a DirecTivo.

I wouldn't bet on it, though.

A lot of that had to do with them leaving the dssapp in place (just not enabled)

They pulled out most of the DTV hooks in v7

[GargleBlast]

So, some people got my idea wrong... Suppose, just suppose DirecTV changes to all MPEG4, the only thing the HR10-250 would be good for is off air stuff. Suppose I want to use my HR10-250 to record only from off air HDTV and pay TiVo for my guide not DirecTV. The HR10-250 could 'technically' be converted into on off air only TiVo with a software upgrade. Just as region hacks were made available for DVD players, TiVo could release into said underground a version of the software that would make the HR10-250 into an off air only series 2 TiVo, they could even claim that there was no way for their system to recognize the difference in unit serial numbers!! How many would pay a monthly sub to TiVo instead of DirecTV? The answer to this will only come if TiVo reveal how many of it's Series 3 subscribers only use it for OTA and not cable.

Of course if there was a way to upgrade the current HR10-250 to version 6.2 software (hah hah) then you could transfer shows from your new series 3 to it without it being a subbed box (like all those with the spare DirecTiVos out there)

- J

[maharg18]

The flaw in your logic is that the HR10-250 is not a Tivo, it is a Directv receiver. Only Directv can decide to push updates. If Tivo were to go out on their own and do it, they most certainly would face a lawsuit from Directv, as well as voiding any agreements they may have with them. In other words, ain't gonna happen.

[Runch Machine]

The flaw in your logic is that the HR10-250 is not a Tivo, it is a Directv receiver. Only Directv can decide to push updates. If Tivo were to go out on their own and do it, they most certainly would face a lawsuit from Directv, as well as voiding any agreements they may have with them. In other words, ain't gonna happen.

I disagree with you. It IS a Directv receiver, but it is also a ATSC receiver. No doubt that Tivo owns the Tivo software running on the HR10-250 and licenses it to Directv. However, there is no reason Tivo couldn't create a version of Tivo software that would work on the HR10-250 for use as an over the air HD DVR. At some point in time there could be a market for this especially if Directv moves all the national HD channels to MPEG4 and stops sending any HD programming in MPEG2.

Lets face it, for a lot of people 99% of the HD viewing is shows that came over the air from the 4 major networks.

[AbMagFab]

I disagree with you. It IS a Directv receiver, but it is also a ATSC receiver. No doubt that Tivo owns the Tivo software running on the HR10-250 and licenses it to Directv. However, there is no reason Tivo couldn't create a version of Tivo software that would work on the HR10-250 for use as an over the air HD DVR. At some point in time there could be a market for this especially if Directv moves all the national HD channels to MPEG4 and stops sending any HD programming in MPEG2.

Lets face it, for a lot of people 99% of the HD viewing is shows that came over the air from the 4 major networks.

Huh, you know, that's a good point. I would give up DirecTV and convert my HR10's to OTA-HD only, if I could get MRV, HMO, etc. I'd even pay Tivo a monthly fee for the ability.

Good idea.

[teasip]

Me too.

[TyroneShoes]

...No doubt that Tivo owns the Tivo software running on the HR10-250 and licenses it to Directv. However, there is no reason Tivo couldn't create a version of Tivo software that would work on the HR10-250 for use as an over the air HD DVR...
There are a couple of reasons. The agreement that Tivo and DTV have regarding hardware is that nothing can be done by Tivo to alter it without passing muster from DTV, which is likely why we haven't seen a 6.2-type up rev yet.

Tivo could go rogue, say "screw you Rupert!", and send a bullet update by phone line to every HR10 that would allow it to be used strictly as an OTA recorder without DTV subscription, but why would they do that? This would cause severe bad blood and gigantic lawsuits and would ruin the agreement the two companies just extended, which is a good deal for both of them. Also, now those HR10 owners who want a OTA-only recorder magically would then have one, and would have no motivation to buy a Series 3. And each of them would have to renegotiate a direct subscription with Tivo for new service, rather than with DTV. Imagine the subscriber confusion.

But, they could do one offs, and that would probably work. IOW, If I end my association with DTV and unsub my owned HR10, it would be great if I could just drop a dime on Tivo and get new service for OTA-only. That would go a long way toward helping Tivo, without screwing DTV. And then Tivo could reload better software on individual HR10's at the request of their new customers without needing DTV's permission. I can't imagine that working for leased boxes (DTV is going to want all of those back so they can literally run a pavement smoother over them like Sony does with obsoleted gear), so maybe that is why DTV has moved to leasing for the HR10, as it cuts Tivo out of the picture completely.

So it makes sense if individual HR10 owners want to move service from DTV to Tivo/OTA, but it makes little sense for Tivo to make a wholesale change to the software on all boxes overnight that could irk DTV.

Tivo is probably better off just leaving the HR10 as is, and providing an alternative in the Series 3. If they actually get DTV to agree to an up rev for the HR10, that's just gravy on the top.